Quiz: Test your DNA knowledge
DNA Day was introduced 13 years ago, to recognize the successful completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003 and the discovery of DNA’s double helix in 1953. Please take our quiz to see how much you know about DNA, or to enhance your knowledge!
- Question 1 of 10
1.
How many chromosome pairs make up the human genome?
That’s right!
The human genome is made up of 23 chromosome pairs. The final pair is responsible for determining the sex of the individual.
Sorry that’s wrong.
The human genome is made up of 23 chromosome pairs. The final pair is responsible for determining the sex of the individual.
- Question 2 of 10
2.
Your genes could influence your choice of partner, true or false?
That is correct!
Genetic variation influences one’s choice of partner. The genetic correlation between height and the preference for a partner with similar height shows that genes affecting individual preferences for height and one’s own height are largely shared.
Read more from our blog about the research, could it be love at first height?
Sorry that’s wrong.
Genetic variation influences one’s choice of partner. The genetic correlation between height and the preference for a partner with similar height shows that genes affecting individual preferences for height and one’s own height are largely shared.
Read more from our blog about the research, could it be love at first height?
- Question 3 of 10
3.
The molecular structure of DNA was first discovered by which two of the following?
Spot on!
James Watson and Francis Crick discovered the double helix structure of DNA in 1953.
You can read their article, published on April 25 1953, here.
That’s wrong!
James Watson and Francis Crick discovered the double helix structure of DNA in 1953.
You can read their article, published on April 25 1953, here.
- Question 4 of 10
4.
A nucleic acid sequence is a succession of letters that indicate the order of nucleotides within a DNA or RNA molecule.
When was the first complete nucleotide sequence of a genome sequenced?
That is correct!
In 1976, Walter Fiers at the University of Ghent (Belgium) was the first to establish the complete nucleotide sequence of a viral RNA-genome. It took nearly 30 more years before the human genome was fully mapped.
Sorry you’re wrong!
In 1976, Walter Fiers at the University of Ghent (Belgium) was the first to establish the complete nucleotide sequence of a viral RNA-genome. It took nearly 30 more years before the human genome was fully mapped.
- Question 5 of 10
5.
Wheat is an essential crop as it is one of the most significant food sources for people worldwide. However, this crop species has one of the most challenging genomes.
Common bread wheat is hexaploid, meaning each nucleus contains how many individual genomes?
That’s right!
Hexaploid means the genome has three complete genomes in the nucleus of each cell. In wheat, each of these is almost twice as long as the human genome, hence why its genome is so complex.
Find out more here.
That’s wrong!
Hexaploid means the genome has three complete genomes in the nucleus of each cell. In wheat, each of these is almost twice as long as the human genome, hence why its genome is so complex.
Find out more here.
- Question 6 of 10
6.
Genomic characterization of tumors for diseases like ESCC is likely to reveal additional oncogenic mechanisms.
What is ESSC?
That is correct!
ESCC is the sixth most lethal cancer worldwide, read more in this article from GigaScience.
That’s the wrong answer, the correct answer is Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
ESCC is the sixth most lethal cancer worldwide, read more in this article from GigaScience.
- Question 7 of 10
7.
The nucleosome is the fundamental subunit of chromatin, consisting of a segment of DNA wrapped around eight histone protein cores.
Approximately how many base pairs make up the nucleosome?
That is correct!
The nucleosome is comprised of approximately 146 base pairs of DNA wound approximately twice around two copies of each of the H2A, H2B, H3, and H4 histone proteins.
Find out more about the answer here.
Sorry you’re wrong.
The nucleosome is comprised of approximately 146 base pairs of DNA wound approximately twice around two copies of each of the H2A, H2B, H3, and H4 histone proteins.
Find out more about the answer from Epigenetics and Chromatin.
- Question 8 of 10
8.
In population genetics, what does MAF stand for?
That is correct!
Minor allele frequency (MAF) refers to the frequency at which the least common allele occurs in a given population.
This article in Genome Medicine has more information.
That is wrong!
Minor allele frequency (MAF) refers to the frequency at which the least common allele occurs in a given population.
This article in Genome Medicine has more information.
- Question 9 of 10
9.
Rapid whole genome sequencing (WGS) has proven to be very useful in the diagnosis of genetic diseases in very ill infants.
How fast can we sequence a newborn’s genome?
That is correct!
Advances in sequencing run time, read alignment, and variant calling have enabled a provisional molecular diagnosis with >99.5 % sensitivity and specificity of genotypes, in 26 hours.
Genome Medicine has more information here.
Sorry you’re wrong!
Advances in sequencing run time, read alignment, and variant calling have enabled a provisional molecular diagnosis with >99.5 % sensitivity and specificity of genotypes, in 26 hours.
Genome Medicine has more information here.
- Question 10 of 10
10.
Fill in the missing words:
The DNA methylation mark in ________ is transmitted from one generation to the next, propagating epigenetic information in a much more direct route compared to __________.
Well done!
The DNA methylation mark in plants is transmitted from one generation to the next, propagating epigenetic information in a much more direct route compared to animals.
This article in Genome Biology has more information.
Sorry, it was the other way round.
The DNA methylation mark in plants is transmitted from one generation to the next, propagating epigenetic information in a much more direct route compared to animals.
This article in Genome Biology has more information.
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